(1482-1536) Read More
Richard was an English diplomat of the Tudor period. He was educated at Winchester College under Thomas Langton, and later at Padua, at Bologna, and probably at the University of Oxford. In 1509, he accompanied Cardinal Christopher Bainbridge, Archbishop of York, to Rome, and he remained in the service of the Archbishop until that man’s death by poisoning in 1514; he was instrumental in bringing the murderer to justice. In 1515, upon his return to England, he entered the service of Cardinal Wolsey where he was employed in diplomacy and espionage. In 1515, Pace became Wolsey’s secretary and in 1516 a secretary of state. He was also collated Archdeacon of Dorset in 1514, holding the post until 1523.
In 1515, Wolsey sent Pace to urge the Swiss to attack France. He was engaged in a lengthy negotiation with Emperor Maximillian I regarding Henry’s support of the Emperor’s activities against the French in northern Italy, but upon Wolsey’s instructions, used the 100,000 florins deposited on his behalf in Antwerp to pay for Swiss soldiers. Maximillian wanted use of the funds, which he claimed had been promised to him by Henry, to levy troops in Switzerland and parts of the Austrian territories. Pace refused to act without direct orders from Henry, despite Maximillian’s cajolery, demands, and frustration. Following the Battle of Marignano, Pace was captured by the French and imprisoned for some time, but released in early spring.
In 1519, Pace returned to Germany to discuss with the Prince-Electors the impending election of Maximillan’s grandson Charles V to the imperial throne. He was made dean of St Paul’s in 1519, holding the office until 1536. He was present at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520, and in 1521 he went to Venice with the object of winning the support of the republic for Wolsey, who was anxious at this time to become pope. At the end of 1526 he was recalled to England, having been appointed dean of Exeter (1522?–1527) and Dean of Salisbury (1523–1536) in his absence.
In February 1536, it was reported that Pace’s mental imbecillity [sic] for many years past has interfered with the due government of the cathedral and he died in 1536. During his latter years co-adjutors were appointed to help with his ecclesiastical duties.
In the television series The Tudors, Pace, played by Matt Ryan, is depicted as being accused of spying, and imprisoned in the Tower of London, where is seen to succumb to madness. This did not happen in reality.
